Categories: random
Tags: Christianity
Date: 28 September 2007 11:46:07
I've thought a bit more about what I want to say prompted by this blog post by Auntie Doris from a couple of days ago, but have decided not to get too specific because of the public nature of this blog. Not that I claim a readership of millions or anything, but I do want to be careful and diplomatic and not controversial just for the sake of it. This is just a random "thinking out loud" kind of post which might give you a bit more of an idea of where I'm at (and hopefully it will give me a bit more of an idea as well, that would be helpful :D).
Anyway - more generally - Doris's post got me thinking and reflecting on many of the conversations I've had with interview respondents and with friends and other contacts over the course of my research, and it is clear to me that society here in general is much more conservative than I'm used to. Then add into the mix the fact that Christians here, by and large, also tend to be rather more conservative than I am. Please note I am categorically NOT bashing conservative Christians, that is not my aim. But I do need to say that in the course of my work, with a subject that borders a number of "Hot Potato" issues, I have come across what is proclaimed as The Christian Perspective, and that bothers me because, in many cases, I'm not convinced that there is one single Christian Perspective on these issues. Jesus' command was to love God and love our neighbour - all our decisions and actions must stem from this. Of course, it's obvious that some Christians will interpret this greatest commandment as requiring a particular set of opinions and/or actions, whilst others will interpret the same command as requiring something totally different. It seems to me therefore that none of us, Christian or not, have the monopoly on Truth, and don't have the authority to proclaim that our interpretation is the only one that is Approved By The Lord. We need to listen to others, with respect, expecting to learn and be changed by the interactions, not approaching every meeting or disagreement or difference of interpretation as a battlefield where we can be the only winners.
I'm finding myself increasingly depressed therefore, that the observable (and loudest) Christian responses to many of the issues about which I am passionate, and/or about which I wrestle and agonise, can be pretty much boiled down to (in the inimitable words of Father Ted) "Down With This Sort Of Thing". It's just so joyless, so soulless, so controlling, and whilst I know the pronouncements come from a genuine desire to glorify God and see people turn to God and be changed, made new and whole, etc etc etc, it is by and large perceived by those at whom it is aimed as ignorant, ill-informed and judgemental. Which of course can be an ignorant, ill-informed and judgemental position to take as well, of course not all Christians are like that, but when push comes to shove, when I talk with people and read the pro- and anti- debates on websites and in articles etc, I often want to shout "They're not talking with My Voice!". I don't want to be associated with the shriller voices who claim they are representing Christian tradition and thought and views and perspective and authority, and often find the supposedly anti-Christian perspective much more loving and compassionate and well-considered.
I'm not sure what to do/think about this. I don't want all Christians to be Like Me, think Like Me*. I have much to learn still, and know many wonderful Christians with whom I can lovingly disagree about many things (including the Hot Potatoes) but still respect and admire and love and support their work serving their communities. I'm trying to approach the Christian perspectives I am reading here fairly and not judgementally (and I'm well aware that I'm not doing very well at that, especially the judgemental bit, before anyone points out my hypocrisy). But my goodness it's hard work sometimes.
Sigh. It's true, as the saying goes, you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family (and of course, I've no doubt as many people would regard me as the church equivalent of the embarrassing cousin that nobody really talks about as would agree with me).
* actually that's probably not true, but I'm working on myself :)